OTI Calls Stimulus Bill ‘A Huge Step Forward’ for Internet Affordability

Last night, Congress passed a $900 billion stimulus package that includes long-overdue measures addressing the high cost of internet service in the United States. Among other things, the bill includes $3.2 billion for a new Emergency Broadband Benefit program to subsidize monthly internet costs for low-income households, the newly unemployed, and students who receive Pell Grants or qualify for the National School Lunch Program. 

For the past nine months, OTI has repeatedly urged Congress to pass legislation to make internet service more affordable. OTI published three Cost of Connectivity studies that found U.S. internet prices are among the world’s highest, particularly in rural and Tribal communities. Importantly, this research was conducted before the onset of the pandemic, which has exacerbated the affordability crisis as more people struggle to pay for basic necessities amid widespread job and income losses.

The following quote can be attributed to Joshua Stager, senior counsel for New America’s Open Technology Institute:

“We welcome this long-overdue legislation. In particular, the bill’s emergency broadband benefit is a huge step forward. The cost of broadband is far too high, and it’s widening the digital divide at a time when poverty rates are peaking and much of daily life has shifted to the internet. At long last, it appears help is finally on the way to the millions of people who are suffering through the pandemic without connectivity.

“We urge the Federal Communications Commission to quickly implement this legislation. People cannot afford to wait any longer.”